The Beloved meets Zoolander

Because seriously... who wouldn't want to be married to this Fox? 
I love this fun guy.

Being Sincere

When I was in the ninth grade I remember finding out that the boy my friend was desperately in love with liked me. I hated this awkward information and wanted it to go away. I knew it would devastate her and had no clue how to share the news - so I didn't. My hope was that he would come to recognize the mutual feelings he carried for her and I continued to encourage her to pursue him. My 33 year old self sees how ludicrous this plan was but my 14 year old self was surprised when it backfired. My friend confronted me one day saying, "Why did you to tell me to like "Jon" when you knew he liked you?" And then she walked away.
I am a people pleaser. I instinctively want everyone to feel wonderful and to see the beauty that I see,  but it is also important not to forget one single word - sincerity. I want to be real. This doesn't mean shoving out brutal remarks that hurt people, it means taking the time to SINCERELY listen, think, pray, reflect, ponder and voice the inner thoughts of Cammy. A wonderful exemplar of someone with sincerity is Alma the Younger.

In Alma 30 we read about Korihor, the antichrist. Alma confronts him and asks in verse 37, ".... believest thou that there is a God? 38 And he answered Nay. 39 Now Alma said unto him: will ye deny again that there is a God, and also deny the Christ? For behold, I say unto you, I know there is a God, and also that Christ shall come." Alma bore his testimony straight into Korihor's face. He wasn't afraid of this antichrist who had gleefully lead many men and women into transgression. Alma was a defender of truth and sincere in living and standing up for the Gospel of Jesus Christ
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I love the prayer he offers in the following chapter, chapter 31. It is the perfect example of how one should pray; consisting of three things Sister Mindy Davis pointed out in a video I viewed recently, "1. He speaks of his feelings 2. He outlines his view of the problems 3. He makes requests to deal with the problems". Alma knows his father and has a conversation with Him. He prays sincerely. 

In verse 32 he says, "O Lord, wilt thou comfort my soul, and give unto me success, and also my fellow laborers who are with me- yea, Ammon, and Aaron, and Omner, and also, Amulek and Zeezrom, and also my two sons - yea, even all these wilt thou comfort O Lord. Yea, wilt thou comfort their souls in Christ." Amidst all of his own personal trials Alma remembers to request the help from the Lord for those he loves deeply. He is a sincere friend.

Those words from my old friend still echo in my mind once in awhile, "Why did you tell me to like "Jon" when you knew he liked you?" They push me to be a little better in defending and living the gospel, having wonderful conversations through prayer, and being a better, truer friend like Alma. My goal is to be like Christ and there is no one more sincere than He.

Family Pictures 2016

These two couldn't stop posing for the camera -

Dear Kiddos: Daddy/ Papi Loves You Too!

I just wanted you to know that Daddy/ Papi loves you too! Your mom has written several messages to you over the years, but I thought it would be important for you to hear from me too. I know you have all heard every threat from me like eating you for dinner, to you're sleeping in the dog house (all still could come to pass if you are naughty) but I do love each of you. Each of you have been a blessing in my life. You add stress, require sacrifice, and demand everything at that instant (and it will probably increase over time) but all of that is worth it to have you in my home. I hope and pray that I can be a good father by teaching and directing you, so that one day you can have the experience of being a father in a loving home like we have.

Now, I might be able to beat Papi in a game of basketball, says Little C. Dear Little C, it never will happen!

Ohh Fire!!! - Little C

Little C - I remember when you were little laying on you and pretending you were my pillow. You would get a kick out of waking me up by a moving pillow. I remember asking you "What does mom say?" and teaching you to reply "Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah." I remember you scaring mom with "Magnus Merrah." She is still scared of that today. I love beating you in a basketball game both on the court and Xbox (you have always been my Xbox buddy). You have such influence and power over your younger siblings so remember that and try always to be good. Even when you are gruff with your siblings (which I think you honestly pick up from me) you are a softy at heart for them. It was totally cool that you shared your birthday limo with your brothers - awesome brother! I also loved how when SweetRotten destroyed your basketball cards you couldn't even get mad at her. TOTAL SOFTY!

Good Morning Daddy - Lou

Lou - I remember how that name came to be. I remember when traveling, coming home to your 2 year old face just beaming to see me, and devastated when I had to leave. I remember your testimony during FHE that would not end, but so very sweet. I love how when trying to explain something new to you we always get a response that starts with, "Oh so you mean..." You are super competitive which can be a good thing but holds you back other times. Use that spirit to only do better. And I know you are FAST like your Daddy! You are also a night owl like Daddy too, probably the only one in the family that can stay up without issue like me. You were and are a Daddy's boy when I need it (even though now you are totally a Mama's boy). When you were young it was all Daddy. 

Football buddy Ruckus

Ruckus- Your blog name fits your personality so well. One of the twins, it is interesting how much your little sister is like you. You love sugar! And us having to pay for those 92 cavities is proof. Probably the only kid on the planet that is cool with going to the dentist and getting cavities filled. You don't even flinch when that needle goes in your mouth. I remember when you were a toddler you would get in trouble and I would hold you and in a stern voice say, "Put your head on my shoulder!" because you were in time out. Secretly I LOVED IT. I would smile at Mom after your head was on my shoulder and she would quietly laugh. And those eyes!!! A cartoon app can't even make your face look more animated and cartoon-like (your brother even tried). Speaking of animated your personality/ spirit is just that - ANIMATED!

Totally stole Dad's phone...AWESOME!

Moo - You are a lover of all but so independent. You love your family like nobodies business, but can branch out on your own better than any of your brothers. I think this makes you confident and adaptable to mesh with all the personalities of the family and others. Your oldest brother was a talker and at the time I didn't think anyone would talk more until you started talking. You will talk to anyone and everyone and tell them your life story. I remember when we both had shared ponytails, the bad thing was you were so adorable people thought you were a girl (Lou had the same problem). You are a buddy with my Grandpa (Little Grandpa) which I love because Little Grandpa means so much to me. You seek him out, and him you, when we go to visit. I believe your birth name was specifically picked for you. When coming up with your name I wanted to name you after me, but felt specifically inspired to give you your birth name. Honor your name!  

The 3 Amigos

I'll light up your life

"I'm Cute!" is exactly what she is saying - SweetRotten

SweetRotten (former baby) - Yes I totally picked out your blog name. So fitting of you. You are such a sweetie but so rotten at the same time. Total Daddy's girl! Your mom says you have me wrapped around your finger - and she is right. Your mom says you have softened our home and again she is right! You have all of us smitten. You got into Little C's room and destroyed some of his basketball cards. He was really upset but when he found out it was you he couldn't do anything and said, " If it was SweetRotten I understand, but why her...?" (I think he wanted to yell at someone for it). You know how to work the system too. If Mom or Dad don't get you out of bed then you call for Little C to come get you. Total girly but can roll with your older brothers. You love your dolls, dresses, and shoes BUT love a good ball, car, and wrestling. I hope when you get older your bothers will fend off any suitors. I already have plans that all your dates have to run the gauntlet with your brothers and me standing there with bats; if they make it through they can go on a date with you. And Moo or Ruckus isn't allowed to have friends over when they are older because they are too close in age to you.

Need a baby with that bink?

New Baby - (That is what Moo calls you). You have come to a good home. You are already so loved. I wonder what you will be like when you get older. I think you will be as sweet as they come. Your older sister has some sass but I think you will be more laid-back. You are still getting used to this world and working on figuring out your days and night to give your mama some sleep (at nights I am a heavy sleeper and often don't wake up to your cries). The nice thing is your are peaceful during chaos and noise by sleeping right through it. It is when it gets quiet that you wake. With a house of 6 kids a peacemaker is necessary and so far you have fit the bill and feel you will keep that trait.

Daddy does this to all the babies

Seriously you put that picture up?!?! See if I ever let you post on my blog again. 

Dogglet - You are an amazing woman! You are a wonderful mother and an inspiration to all of your children AND ME. Your desire and drive to be better, to be good, and to instill that in out children is impressive. Too often people ask me how I do it all with 6 kids. I always say its not me its my wife! So TRUE! Thank you for bringing these babes into the world and for being my wife (or like our discussion last night mother of a really OLD kid). Love you!

Baby Girl! Day 2 and Beyond

Auntie A w/the sugar sack

Ruckus and the sack of potatoes

Lou holding the bundle of joy

Ilenia (family/ friend) with the baby

No longer the baby - SweetRotten (for future reference daddy blog named you)

"I miss Mommy"

Love this little girl

Buckabu brought Cousin to see new baby

Moo and SweetRotten needing Mommy time

Buckabu and Auntie A

Buckabu reviewing silly pictures she took of me while trying not to laugh. I like her. Notice my Thanksgiving meal she brought to the hospital for me. I'm so glad she's my mom.

SweetRotten cuddling/asleep with her best bud Daddy

Ian Johnson: Thanks for the hat from, SweetRotten

Moo with some baby love

We need a little bow in our lives, and we will take the baby too

You takin' my picture?!?! Oh no, the butt penguin

Totally photo-bombed The Beloved's baby selfie

Our Oldest Girl Turns 2

Before Church Selfie

"Mom, no more pictures!"

She wasn't pleased to be awoken from her nap in order to attend her party.

Cute Buckabu and Papa

The boys are involved every second of the celebration. They ooow and ahh over her gifts to make her happy and speak in uplifting voices to hopefully spark some enthusiasm into their baby sister.

A smile arises as she hugs her dress from Buckabu and Papa.

Finally when she unwrapped her new baby doll she kind of felt like getting her party on.

A baby doll + stroller+ big brother Moo = best birthday ever!

The Beloved made a fire in the pit for us to roast hot dogs over after presents were opened.

We cuddled around the warmth together sharing campfire stories well into the night. 

Dear Sweetheart,

How did you become a toddler so quickly? As soon as I got pregnant with your little sister you grew up so fast - like you knew you had a different role to play now.  When she was first born it was a little hard for you because we had just moved 3 days prior, you were super sick so you couldn't be around the baby, and I couldn't pick you up to comfort or care for your needs very well because I had just had a C-Section. Your world was rocked upside down in a major way. It made me sad to see your confusion and unhappiness.

Luckily Daddy, Buckabu and Papa were here to coddle you and help you adjust to life as you now know it. In all honesty, having Daddy's full attention is exactly what you desire. He's your best bud and you have him wrapped around your little finger. Little C comes in a close second to Daddy for being a sucker to your demands. You'll sneak a 3rd cookie or steal someone's toys and he doesn't have the heart to take it away. Little C will try and then he'll say, "Mom, I can't. She's too cute." And you are. With your big brown eyes and soft voice- we think you can do no wrong. 

You'll grab our hands and say, "come on" leading us to wherever your mind has determined you need to go. You also say thank you like a champ (it sounds like Thaaannnkkk you - the "you" being exclaimed quickly with an upward inflection)  but the word "please" only surfaces when you're truly desperate. 

You love clothes and say, "Oh cute!"  whenever we get you dressed or you receive new clothing. 

Before you head to bed Daddy takes you around to everyone in the family so you can bestow a goodnight kiss. You say, "kisses" right before you grant us with one. Sometimes this ritual occurs two or three times before you're content and you give Daddy the okay to lay you down. 

You are the twin - resemblance wise, appetite, and personality wise to your brother Ruckus when he was your age. You LOVE you some sugar girl - give the stink eye to EVERYONE outside of your immediate family - and have the prettiest, biggest brown eyes in town.

For Christmas you received a Hello Kitty bus set. It included a bunch of kitties who sit at desks in the bus and various furniture items you can move around. Two days ago I sat down and played Hello Kitty with you for awhile. I had so much fun watching your imagination roll. I had forgotten how great it was to play with girl things and I felt like a little kid all over again. Thanks for being my pal sweetheart.

You LOVE shoes. It's a crazy, passionate, mad love my friend. Right now you are in a boot faze that sometimes needs to be accompanied with a beanie. While I was in the hospital you stumbled upon the BSU beanie Ian Johnson made for all of Papa's grandchildren. You didn't take it off your head for about a week. Even when you were so sick - the beanie had to be adorned. 

You are fearless, thinking you must jump from everything high and do a somersault into every beanie bag.

As I type this you are wearing one high healed princess slipper, standing on the futon in my room, preparing to land a magnificent jump onto the beanie bag below. I like you.

You are a busy human and keep me on my toes more than any of your other siblings. Good thing there are so  many of us around to watch you. You really love to pull out everything from the drawers and draw on any surface available. 

Last week Daddy found you in the bathroom standing near the garbage can you had pulled out and then dumped all the shampoo/conditioner 

bottles in. Also, littered around the floor were Ruckus' clothes you had removed from his drawers. You stood there with baby shampoo gracefully dripping from your head looking at Dad like, "what's the big deal?" 

The biggest question being -What great plans did we interrupt for Ruckus' clothes? I thankfully know not.

Sweet girl, I love you. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

You have now warmed up to your little sister and watch out for her needs just as your older siblings watch out for yours. What great examples you have in your life. Always remember how much we love and adore your perfect self.  

You have softened our hearts in a way we didn't even know we needed. We are so thankful to our Father in Heaven for knowing that the Patton family needed you- specifically you - in our home. You fill our lives with immense joy.

Love,

Mom